RAILWAY ECONOMY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18619, 15 July 1930, Page 8

RAILWAY ECONOMY.

HAMILTON MEN’S VIEWS. By Telegraph—Press Association HAMILTON, July 14. A packed meeting of members of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, at Frankton, discussed a proposal of the Minister of Railways that all members of the service should sacrifice one week’s pay, to assist the unemployed at the railway workshops. The meeting unanimously decided to strongly protest against further dismissals, until the A.S.R.S. Executive meets the Minister in conference; and further decided to protest strongly against any system of rationing work as suggested by the Minister, as such war, regarded as economically unsound and opposed to the future welfare of the railways. A further resolution recommended a graduated levy for unemployment on all incomes, such money collected to carry a £2 for £1 grant, to be expended in finding useful employment. The Government is to be urged to bring all idle lands of the Railway Department into cultivation, as one means of providing employment. It was further recommended that an additional tax be placed on all motor vehicles in competition with the railway. Means were discussed for increasing the revenue of the Railway Department, and bringing about a more efficient service. The meeting decided that a revision of freights was necessary, in order to restore the balance of tariffs which had been upset by motor competition. It was decided to recommend the Department to consider a scheme of local collection and delivery of parcels and goods. It was felt necessary to make a thorough investigation of administrative costs, in relation to the working costs of railways. INCREASE IN SUNDAY FARES. By Telegraph—Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, July 14. “The general financial position of the railways is such that, whether I like it or not, I must cut down expenses and avoid losses wherever possible,” said the Minister of Railways, this morning, in reply to representation by Mr J. McCombs, M.P., regarding the increase in Sunday fares on the Lyttelton line. The Minister said he wished to make it clear that the fact that there was no effective road competition with the railway between Lyttelton and Christchurch was not the reason for the increase that had been made in the Sunday fares. The decision to charge ordinary fares on Sundays applied to all Sunday train services in New Zealand. The reason for the step w r as that, when he obtained a report from the General Manager of Railways, as to where losses were being made, it was found that the only Sunday service that was paying was that between Wellington and the Hutt Valley, all others being losing propositions. “RATIONING” WORK OPPOSED. By Telegraph—Press Association WHANGAREI, July 14. A large meeting of the Whangarei branch of the A.S.R.S. considered the Minister’s proposals regarding rationing work. The following resolution was carried unanimously:—“This meeting views with alarm the Minister’s proposal that each railway man should forfeit a week’s wages, and considers that the Government is responsible for finding work for the unemployed at award rates, and we strongly protest against any levies being made against the workers.”

THE RATIONING SCHEME. DISCUSSED BY RAILWAY ORGANISATIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, July 14. The position which has arisen in the railway service through the dismissals from railway workshops was considered at a special meeting of the executive council of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants. Consideration was given to Mr Veitch’s suggestion that a scheme of rationing might be introduced, whereby every man in the scheme, from the General Manager downwards, would give a week’s work without remuneration. Meetings were also held by the Engine-drivers’, Firemen’s and Cleaners’ Association, the Railway Officers’ Institute, and the Railway Tradesmen’s Association, to discuss the rationing proposal. The council of the A.S.R.S. decided to confer with representatives of their railway organisations on the question of rationing of labour. The scheme will be discussed with the Minister of Railways, when a statement will be made on" behalf of the A.S.R.S. by the president, Mr J. Churchouse The council of the Society is to meet again to-morrow.